Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear brother Burhan, As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

does this come under the topic of masturbation if there is foreplay by using hands to touch and message each others (ie husband and wife) sexual organs before actual intercourse. Please give evidence from sunnah

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Answer:

Foreplay

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 222:

They ask you about the (women’s) monthly courses. Say, “It is a state of impurity; so keep apart from the women during their monthly courses and do not approach them until they are clean. When they have cleansed themselves, then you may go to them in the manner ordained for you by Allah. Most surely Allah loves those people who refrain from evil and keep themselves pure and clean.

There is absolutely no ‘purdah’ or veil between the husband and the wife in Islam. They may touch, play, fondle, massage, etc. each other wherever they wish, including their sexual organs, before and/or after their intercourse. If in the course of touching and massaging each other, even if one or both of them has an orgasm, it would be perfectly legal and acceptable in Islam.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "Do everything (during the woman’s menstruation) except intercourse." (Related by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood)

The only things Allah and His Messenger have forbidden in a sexual relationship between husband and wife is:

1. Anal sex.
2. Having sexual intercourse with the woman during her menses.

Some scholars have also voiced their opinion against touching either of the partner’s sex organs with the mouth (oral-sex). But because nothing is mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah about this specific topic, the scholars have not said it is forbidden… The most some have said is that one should fear Allah and stay away from this act as it is considered impure, unclean and unhealthy.

Other than this, the husband and wife have all the liberty with regarding to sex in their relationship.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan